Hi, I'm new to this board and so happy to have found it. I really didn't find it myself because I beleive God brought me here. He knows what we need! I came from a family of five kids and we all went to Catholic school but never to church, other than the daily mass before school. After my confirmation I never went to church unless someone I knew was getting married in one. I married a Catholic by chance, not choice and now am very happy that I did. We have two children and I'm sorry to say other than getting them baptized in the Church we didn't do what we promised as far as their religous life was concerned. So we also never went to Church. Except of course at Easter and Christmas. Now steps in my very Protestant and very religous sister. (she was "born again" at age 18) Her family leads a life to example as far as christianity is concerned. She was the one who made me think I needed to get back to church. So I went to church, her church. I went about 5 times over a 2 year period. I just couldn't figure out why I was so uncomfortable there. Everyone seemed so happy and content. Maybe it was the part where they kept telling me I was going to hell unless I was "born again". That didn't seem like the God I wanted to know. He wouldn't want me to come to him that way. I knew in my heart it wasn't right. But there's my sister again. What could be so wrong if it's been so right for her. Not to mention all the things she told me were wrong with the Catholics. That didn't seem right either. I always left wondering if they were truly concerned for my soul or just wanted to "adopt" another Catholic. But I finally went to her church, did the "alter call" thing and became "born again". When I told my husband, he blew his stack. His words were "I married a Catholic, and we will not go to seperate churches and I will not become born again or whatever you call it." So we argued about it for some time. I wanted something more than a lukewarm faith in OUR lifes. I prayed about it and now we have been practicing members of St. Marys Catholic Church for about 4 years. Cool Huh? I'm sad to say our children objected very strongly. They are adults now and still refuse to go to church. I talked to one of our religous teachers and he was very helpful. He really helped me to deal with the guilt I feel for not raising them in the church. I pray for them always and I hope one day they will find the way. I love this board! So much to learn and everyone is so nice! As for my sister, when she asked me what I was going to do I told her " I guess I'm going to be a born again Catholic! She responded with "well I guess there are some". I think she still beleives the only reason I'm a catholic is because of my husband. I know I'm where I belong and I thank God for it.

Usually we're not all this weird......you kind of caught us at a strange time

Hope to see you post soon, I'm glad you found us.

_________________Whence are we to find words enough fully to tell the happiness of that marriage which the Church cements, and the Eucharistic oblation confirms, and the benediction signs and seals; which angels carry back the news of to heaven, which the Father holds as ratified? -Tertullian

Is the fact that you don't seem weird to me something I should be concerned about?

Hmmmm. Maybe its something that we should be concerned about

_________________Whence are we to find words enough fully to tell the happiness of that marriage which the Church cements, and the Eucharistic oblation confirms, and the benediction signs and seals; which angels carry back the news of to heaven, which the Father holds as ratified? -Tertullian

I say tomato, you say tamoto. Is a tomato by any other name as sweet? I grow tomatos. I have a little westie whom I plant a cherry tomato plant for every year. She's waiting patiently (or not) for her very first this year. She's awfully cute. She is truly a little blessing that God sent to me. So we have a lot in common. A love for God and then theres those tomatos.

Høme grøwn tømatøs are møst certainly the best ... we live in an apartment but øur CSA delivers them tø us øn a regular basis

Welcøme

_________________... and if anyone does not agree then they are wrong.-- Closing to a persuasive essay on how awesome this past weekends party was by random college girl - Freshman Comp class, LSU, 1995

welcome back home erisha...and to our slice of cyberspace... the good news is at least your kids were baptized in the Church... never stop praying for them to return...enlist the help of our Blessed Mother who loves to bring Her children back to Her Son and into His Church...it's how i became Catholic

and please invite your sister to the board... we'd love to have the opportunity to set her straight... being "born again" certainly does not guarantee anyone their place in heaven

_________________All Marian devotion begins with Christ,is centered on Christ,and ends with Christ.As Mary brought Jesus to us,so shall She bring us to Jesus!

Thank You all so much! I will continue to pray for my children to seek God and I look forward to the day when we all go to church as a family. We only do this on Mothers Day. It's what I ask for every year. You guys are such a breath of fresh air. Knowing I can find the support of other Catholics makes my heart sing.